Idioms for IELTS Speaking: Formal vs. Informal Contexts

Formal idioms are key to Part 3 success. They help express deeper thoughts with style and clarity. Use them when discussing serious or broad topics. Always make sure your idioms match the question tone. With regular practice, these idioms will sound natural and strong. They are your tools for a higher speaking band score.

Tips to Use Idioms Naturally Without Sounding Forced

Using idioms in IELTS Speaking is helpful—but only if natural. Many students learn idioms but use them incorrectly. Dropping idioms without context sounds strange and unnatural. This can hurt your fluency and coherence scores. To succeed, you must use idioms like native speakers. That means using them in the right place, with the right tone. Below are useful tips to help you do that.

1. Don’t Memorize and Drop Idioms Randomly

Memorizing idioms without context doesn’t help your score. It can make your answers sound robotic or unnatural. Examiners can tell when a phrase is forced. Focus on meaning and timing instead.

Do this instead:

• Learn when and where an idiom fits.

• Use idioms only when they suit the topic.

• Avoid inserting them just to impress the examiner.

Example (Wrong use):
Q: Do you like music?
A: Yes, I listen to music. A double-edged sword.

(This makes no sense in context.)

Example (Correct use):
Q: Is technology helpful?
A: It’s a double-edged sword—useful but distracting too.

2. Practice Idioms Using Personal Experiences

Idioms sound best when linked to your real stories. Personal examples make them fit naturally. They also make your speech more fluent and believable.

How to do this:

• Think of moments that match idiom meanings.

• Practice short stories or past events using idioms.

• Start with 2-3 idioms and build from there.

Example:
“I hit the books before my exams last month. It was tough, but I passed.”

Activity:

• Choose 5 idioms.

• Write 1 story each using them.

• Speak the story aloud and time yourself.

3. Record Yourself and Review Your Tone

Many learners can’t hear their own mistakes. Recording helps you catch what sounds strange. It also helps you improve fluency and pronunciation.

Steps to follow:

• Use your phone or laptop to record answers.

• Speak on common IELTS topics for 1 minute.

• Use one or two idioms per answer.

• Listen back and check if the idiom fits well.

Checklist to ask yourself:

• Does the idiom match the topic?

• Does it feel natural or too sudden?

• Does your tone support the meaning?

4. Avoid Clichés and Overused Phrases

Some idioms are used too often and feel boring. Examiners hear them many times a day. They may not help your score if used carelessly.

Common overused idioms:

• “Once in a blue moon”

• “Time flies”

• “Practice makes perfect”

Try this instead:

• Use fresh, less common idioms.

• Only use popular idioms if they truly fit.

• Mix idioms with good vocabulary and structure.

Better examples:

• “In the long run” for long-term results.

• “Raise eyebrows” for surprising effects.

• “Spill the beans” for sharing secrets naturally.

Using idioms in IELTS should never feel forced. Practice using them in your own stories. Match the idiom to the right tone and topic. Avoid dropping phrases just to sound advanced. Record your speech and fix what feels unnatural. With time and effort, your idiom use will become smooth and fluent. That’s the key to sounding confident in IELTS Speaking

Idioms for IELTS Speaking: Sample IELTS Speaking Answers Using Idioms

Knowing idioms is not enough—you must use them naturally. The best way to learn this is by seeing them in action. Below are sample answers for Part 1 and Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test. Each answer uses idioms appropriately and fits the tone. These responses reflect a Band 7.5+ level. You can study their structure, tone, and vocabulary. Then, try to create your own similar answers.

✅ Part 1 Sample Answer (Informal Idioms)

Topic: Free Time

Q: What do you usually do in your free time?

Honestly, I love relaxing after a long week. I usually become a couch potato and watch TV shows. Sometimes I blow off steam by going for a short walk. If the weather is nice, I meet friends and just shoot the breeze. It helps me feel over the moon after a busy week. My hobbies are a great way to recharge. I think everyone needs time to relax.

Why this works:

• Uses informal idioms: couch potato, blow off steam, shoot the breeze, over the moon.

• Tone is relaxed and friendly—perfect for Part 1.

• Shows personal habits with natural expressions.

✅ Part 1 Sample Answer (Informal Idioms)

Topic: Studying

Q: Do you enjoy studying?

Not always, but sometimes I just have to hit the books. Before exams, I study all day like crazy. Honestly, I prefer easy subjects that are a piece of cake. But when things get hard, I just bite the bullet and push through. I know it’s important for my future. So, I try to stay focused and do my best.

Why this works:

• Shows realistic student behavior and motivation.

• Idioms fit naturally: hit the books, a piece of cake, bite the bullet.

• The tone is conversational and clear.

✅ Part 3 Sample Answer (Formal Idioms)

Topic: Technology and Society

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology?

In my opinion, technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it improves communication and saves time. On the other hand, it increases screen time and reduces real interaction. In the long run, this can affect mental health and relationships. By and large, technology is helpful, but we must use it wisely. At the end of the day, balance is the key.

Why this works:

• Uses formal idioms: a double-edged sword, in the long run, by and large, at the end of the day.

• Tone is thoughtful, serious, and academic.

• Gives both sides of the argument with clear logic.

✅ Part 3 Sample Answer (Formal Idioms)

Topic: Education and Career

Q: Is formal education the only way to succeed in life?

I don’t believe it’s the only way. For many people, education is a means to an end. It opens doors, but experience and skills matter too. In light of recent trends, even online learning is very effective. Still, the jury is still out on whether it fully replaces classroom education. A blessing in disguise may come from non-traditional paths.

Why this works:

• Uses formal idioms linked to education: a means to an end, in light of, the jury is still out, a blessing in disguise.

• Offers a balanced, reflective view.

• Ideal tone for Part 3 discussion.

Tips to Create Your Own Band 7.5+ Answers

• Use 1–2 idioms in each response.

• Match idioms to the tone of the question.

• Support each idiom with a real or logical idea.

• Speak clearly and with confidence.

• Practice your answers using a timer and recorder.

Sample answers help you understand how idioms really work. In Part 1, use light, personal expressions. In Part 3, use formal, thoughtful phrases. Keep your answers clear, focused, and idiom-friendly. With regular practice, you can build answers that sound natural and score high. Let idioms become your speaking superpower.

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Idioms for IELTS Speaking: Common Mistakes and What to Avoid

Idioms are powerful tools in IELTS Speaking. But if used incorrectly, they can hurt your score. Many learners make common mistakes when trying to use idioms. These errors make their answers sound forced or confusing. To get a Band 7.5+, you must avoid these traps. This section highlights key mistakes and shows how to fix them. Use the tips below to sound natural, clear, and well-prepared.

❌ 1. Using Idioms Out of Context

Many students memorize idioms and insert them randomly. This often leads to confusion or awkward phrasing. The examiner may not understand your point clearly. Worse, it may lower your fluency and coherence score.

Bad Example:
Q: What do you do on weekends?
A: I visit my grandparents. A double-edged sword.

(This idiom doesn’t make sense here.)

Correct Use:
Q: Is technology helpful to society?
A: It’s a double-edged sword—it helps but also harms.

Tips to Avoid:

• Learn when an idiom is typically used.

• Only use idioms that match your idea.

• Don’t force idioms into your answer.

❌ 2. Confusing Slang with Idioms

Slang and idioms are not the same thing. Slang is very casual and often regional. Idioms are fixed phrases with special meanings. Slang can lower your score if it sounds too informal or unclear.

Examples of Slang (Avoid in IELTS):

• “That movie was lit.”

• “I’m gonna chill with my bros.”

Examples of Idioms (Good for IELTS):

• “A piece of cake”

• “Break the ice”

• “In the long run”

Tips to Avoid:

• Stick to idioms, not street slang.

• Avoid trendy words or phrases.

• Use expressions that are widely understood.

❌ 3. Mixing Formal and Informal Idioms Incorrectly

Each IELTS Speaking part has its own tone. Mixing formal idioms in casual answers sounds strange. Using informal idioms in formal answers reduces seriousness. This mismatch affects your lexical resource score.

Incorrect Example (Formal Idiom in Part 1):
Q: What do you like to eat?
A: I prefer pizza, as it’s a blessing in disguise.

(This sounds too formal and doesn’t fit the question.)

Incorrect Example (Informal Idiom in Part 3):
Q: Should children use the internet daily?
_A: Sure, they love it. It’s a piece of cake.

(This sounds too casual for an academic discussion.)

Correct Usage by Tone: